Celebrity Drug-Related Deaths – Reaching an early demise By Pastor Gary Boyd It appears through various reports that Johnny Depp is well on his way to a long dirt nap if he does not get some help. Latest reports from Amber Heard, who just filed for divorce from Depp, that he was prone to fits of violence when he was high on cocaine and alcohol. Amber reported three violent acts on her person, the last being when an iphone was thrown at her leaving a mark on her face that led to getting a divorce lawyer.
The tragic loss of a renowned celebrity or athlete to a drug or alcohol-related death is an event that often leaves many
unanswered questions. Many thought that when Prince died from an overdose, how could that be because he was so smart about the world, but was apparently hooked on scrip drugs bigtime. Famous and much-loved celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Heath Ledger have been the victims of such unfortunate circumstances. While many deaths may be due to misuse of illegal substances, these drugs are not always illicit - and an overdose may not always be intentional.
Drug Interactions Can Be Deadly Death due to drugs can also be the result of mixing prescribed medications with other drugs (legal or illegal), alcohol, overthe-counter medications or even herbal supplements. Drug
interactions may also play a role in drug-related deaths. For example, the consumption of multiple central nervous system depressants, such as opioid pain killers, sedatives, hypnotics, or alcohol may lead to an unintentional overdose due to severely depressed breathing. Smoking of large quantities of opium can depress breathing to the point your body becomes paralyzed and you cannot breath.
Mixing illicit, prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous, and patients should always rule out drug interactions with their healthcare provider. The use of prescription medications with illegal drugs or alcohol can produce an unpredictable and fatal response, and many deaths due to such circumstances may have been preventable. I had a friend that died in 2005 from a fried liver from to many downs, alcohol, and not drinking or eating for extended periods. He was only 55 and I miss him very much. I also had a step son that died last year from alcohol disease of the liver. His death was very painful and his dreams were never fulfilled.
Not an Exhaustive List of Notable Deaths: The following table outlines the death of notable celebrities and athletes who have had drugs or alcohol implicated in their deaths.
Name-Notable Fame-Cause of Death-Drug Category-Year-Age Philip Seymour Hoffman Actor Heroin overdose Illegal drug 2014 46 Joan Rivers Actress Therapeutic complication with propofol sedation Prescription drugs 2014 81 Cory Monteith Actor (Glee) and singer Toxic mix of heroin and alcohol-Illegal drug and alcohol 2013 31 Lisa Robin Kelly-Actress (That '70s Show)-Multiple drug intoxication Illegal drug 2013 43 Chris Kelly Rapper (Kris Kross) Fatal overdose, cocaine and heroin Illegal drug 2013 34 Jeff Hanneman Musician (Slayer) Cirrhosis due to alcoholism Alcohol 2013 49 Whitney Houston American singer, actress Drowning due to complications of cocaine and heart disease; Flexeril, marijuana,
Xanax and Benadryl also found in body but did not contribute to death Illegal drug 2012 48 Michael Carl Baze Horse jockey Overdose; cocaine, oxymorphone (accidental) Mixed prescription/ illegal drugs 2011 24 Derek Boogaard Canadian professional ice hockey player; left wing (New York Rangers) Alcohol and oxycodone overdose (accidental) Mixed alcohol and prescription drugs 2011 28 Amy Winehouse English singer and songwriter-Fatal alcohol poisoning; alcoholism Alcohol 2011 27 Erica Blasberg American golfer (LPGA) Asphyxia; multiple drug overdose: butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol (suicide) Prescription drugs 2010 25 Andy Irons Surfer Cardiac arrest complicated by mixed drug ingestion (cocaine, meth, alprazolam, methadone) Mixed illegal and prescription drugs 2010 32 Edward Fatu “Umaga� Samoan-American professional wrestler Hydrocodone, carisoprodol, diazepam (accidental) Prescription drug overdose 2009 36
Michael Jackson American Pop Singer and icon Cardiac arrest, acute propofol intoxication; midazolam, lidocaine, diazepam, lorazepam also noted in autopsy report Prescription drugs 2009 50 Billy Mays Spokesperson Heart disease possibly complicated by cocaine use Illegal drug 2009 51 Christopher Bowman American figure skater Drug overdose: cocaine, diazepam, cannabis, alcohol (accidental) Mixed alcohol, illegal and prescription drugs2008 40 Heath Ledger Australian actor Combined drug toxicity due to oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diazepam, temazepam, doxylamine (accidental) Prescription drug overdose 2008 28 Scott Charles (“Bam Bam�) Bigelow American professional wrestler; World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Multiple drug overdose: cocaine, temazepam (accidental), possibly worsened by heart disease Mixed illegal and prescription drugs 2007 45 Chris Mainwaring Australian Football Player overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 2007
Cocaine 41
Anna Nicole Smith American model, Playboy playmate, actress Combined drug toxicity due to chloral hydrate and benzodiazepines (accidental) Prescription drugs 2007 40
Ike Turner Musician, bandleader, songwriter, producer Cardiovascular, lung disease complicated by cocaine overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 2007 76 George Best Professional soccer player Complications due to alcohol abuse, alcoholism Alcohol 2005 59 Eddie Guerrero Professional wrestler Cardiomyopathy, heart disease, possibly due to anabolic steroid use Anabolic steroids (speculated) 2005 38 Steven Scott Bechler Major League baseball pitcher; Baltimore Orioles Heat stroke exacerbated by ephedra Alternative/herbal drug 2003 23 Anthony Durante Professional wrestler Oxycodone or fentanyl overdose (accidental) Prescription drug overdose 2003 36 Howie Epstein American bass guitarist (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) Possible heroin overdose; also reportedly using prescription antibiotics Illegal drug overdose 2003 47 Elisa Bridges American model, actress Drug overdose: heroin, methamphetamine, alprazolam, meperidine Mixed illegal and prescription drugs 2002 28
Douglas Glenn Colvin, aka Dee Dee Ramone American songwriter and musician (The Ramones) Heroin overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 2002 50 John Entwistle English bass guitarist (The Who) Heart attack induced by cocaine Illegal drug 2002 58 Darrell Porter American professional baseball player Cocaine overdose (accident) Illegal drug 2002 50 Christopher Wiley Antley Horse jockey; 2-time Kentucky Derby winner Overdose; (clobenzorex, paroxetine, methamphetamine, carbamazepine) and trauma (accidental) Prescription drugs 2000 34 Chris Farley Comedian, actor; Saturday Night Live sketch comedy TV show Overdose; combination of morphine and cocaine; complicated by heart disease; fluoxetine also in system (accidental) Illegal drugs 1997 33 Peter Jackson Australian rugby player Heroin overdose (suicide) Illegal drug 1997 33 Margeaux Hemingway American actress Phenobarbital overdose; suicide Prescription drug overdose 1996 42 Phyllis Hyman American singer, songwriter and actress overdose of pentobarbital and secobarbital (suicide) Prescription drugs 1995 45
Fatal
Kurt Cobain American singer-songwriter and musician (Nirvana) Gunshot wound to head; heroin and diazepam found in body (suicide) Mixed illegal and prescription drugs 1994 27 River Phoenix American actor Heroin and cocaine overdose Illegal drugs 1993 23 David WaymerAmerican football player, NFL Heart attack, cocaine related Illegal drug 1993 34 Paul Hayward Professional Rugby League Player; Newton Jets (Australia) Heroin overdose; contracted HIV in prison Illegal drug overdose 1992 38 John Kordic Professional hockey player Lung failure complicated by unspecified drug overdose (possible anabolic steroid abuse) unknown 1992 27 Abbie Hoffman American Political activist overdose (suicide) Prescription drug overdose
Phenobarbital 1989 52
Chet Baker Jazz musician and singer, trumpet player, guitarist Accidental fall from hotel window; cocaine, heroin Illegal drugs 1988 59 David Croudip American football defensive cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons Cocaine overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 1988 30
Len Bias Boston Celtics second overall NBA draft pick (1986) Cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 1986 23 Don Rogers Football safety in the National Football League (US), Cleveland Browns Fatal cocaine overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 1986 23 Richard Burton Welsh-born actor Cerebral hemorrhage; possible complications due to alcohol, alcoholism Alcohol 1984 58 Truman Capote American writer Liver disease complicated by phlebitis, alcohol and multiple drug intoxication Alcohol 1984 59 David Kennedy Fourth son of Robert F. Kennedy; no profession Overdose of cocaine, meperidine, thioridazine (controversial, some say he was murdered) Mixed illegal and prescription drugs 1984 28 John Belushi American actor; comedian; musician; Saturday Night Live comedy TV show Speedball overdose; a combination of heroin and cocaine (accidental) Illegal drugs 1982 33 Jon Bonham English musician (drummer) and songwriter (Led Zeppelin) Asphyxiation due to massive alcohol consumption Alcohol 1980 32
John Simon Ritchie, aka Sid Vicious Musician (Sex Pistols) Heroin overdose (suicide) Illegal drug 1979 21 Keith Moon Drummer (The Who) Clomethiazole overdose Prescription drug 1978 32 Elvis Presley American musician, singer, actor, cultural icon Heart arrhythmia, possibly aggravated by multiple prescriptions (methaqualone, codeine, barbiturates, cocaine), speculated Mixed illegal and prescription drugs, speculated 1977 42 Freddie Prinze Actor Self-inflicted gunshot; possibly under influence of methaqualone, cocaine (suicide) Mixed illegal and prescription drugs, speculated 1977 22 Howard Hughes American business tycoon, movie producer and director, aviator, engineer, investor Kidney failure; possible complications due to chronic use of aspirin (high doses) and dehydration Nonprescription drug (not confirmed) 1976 70 Bruce LeeMartial artist, actor, film director, pop culture icon Cerebral edema due to meprobramate, aspirin Prescription drug overdose 1973 32 Jim Morrison Musician, singer, songwriter (The Doors) Heart failure; possible heroin or cocaine overdose (disputed) Illegal drug 1971 27
Jimi Hendrix American musician and singer-songwriter Respiratory arrest, asphyxia due to alcohol and barbiturate overdose; vomit inhalation Mixed alcohol and prescription drugs 1970 27 Janis Joplin drug 1970
American musician Heroin overdose 27
Illegal
Judy Garland American actress and singer Barbiturate (Seconal) overdose; controversial if suicide or accident Prescription drug overdose 1969 47 Brian Jones Musician (The Rolling Stones)Drowning due to alcohol and drug intoxication unknown 1969 27 Jack Kerouac Author Cirrhosis of liver, internal bleeding due to alcohol use Alcohol 1969 47 Brian Epstein English businessman; manager (The Beatles) Sedative overdose (accidental) Prescription drug overdose 1967 32 Lenny Bruce American comedian morphine (accidental) Illegal drugs
Drug overdose: 1966 40
Eugene “Big Daddy� Lipscomb Football defensive lineman in the National Football League (US), Pittsburgh Steelers; professional wrestler Heroin overdose (accidental) Illegal drug 1963 31
Marilyn Monroe American actress, model, singer, sex symbol Barbiturate overdose (suicide) Prescription drug 1962 36 Billy Holiday American jazz singer and songwriter Cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol; alcoholism Alcohol 1959 44 Joseph McCarthy U.S. Senator Hepatitis exacerbated by alcohol, alcoholism Alcohol 1957 48 Tommy Dorsey American jazz musician Choked himself while sleeping; unable to awaken due to sedative use Prescription drug overdose 1956 51 Hank Williams, Sr. Country music singer-songwriter Heart failure, possibly alcohol, drug-related (accidental) Mixed alcohol and Illegal drugs (speculated) 1953 29 Sigmund Freud Neurologist Physician-assisted suicide; morphine Prescription drug overdose 1939 83 Additional Resources Toxicology Drug Testing Drug Testing FAQs Anti-Doping Prohibited List Drugs.com Mobile Apps
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